Warmth and softness surrounded me as I slowly started to wake up from my slumber. Keeping my eyes closed, I pulled the pillow I had latched onto closer to me. It was so comfortable that I just wanted to melt into the sheets. To be honest, I don't remember my bed ever being this comfortable. While I smothered my face into the pillow I recognized that it smelled of pine. Sandra must have gotten a new fabric freshener. It smelled nice. I sat there for a few minutes before I heard my door open, assuming it was Sandra just dropping something off in my room I continued to try and fall back into unconsciousness. I wished to enjoy every moment I could get. I started to drift back into sleep when I heard a deep unfamiliar voice mumbling something.

I snapped my eyes open and jerked up only to see I was not in my room. In fact I didn't even recognize the room. The walls were grey, not blue, the furniture black, not white. I could feel my heart starting to race as panic set in. What happened to me? What did I do? My head was pounding. Did I get drunk? I couldn't remember everything that happened. I needed to remember everything. Taking a deep breath I strained my pounding head. Think. Think. Okay, I was at the party, Kim and Jackson were teaming against me, Shawn was a traitor who had disappeared- taking the precious keys with him- and then there was.... There was someone else, something else... I started to remember a band tee. Oliver approved band tee-shirt... The mystery guy! Shit. The last thing I remember was being alone in a bathroom with him and throwing water. FUCK. I started to scramble around looking for my phone until I heard footsteps and remembered that I was not alone. I looked over to the footsteps to see the mystery man last night staring at me. He raises his hand and I notice he has my phone.

"Looking for this?" He asks before tossing me the phone. I watched him nerves bunching in my gut before I unlocked my phone. What happened? Did he do anything to me or my phone while I was out? I took a quiet breath and saw a few texts from Shawn. They were asking where I was, if I was okay, and the most recent had his address... Why was that there? It was such a random change from the questions. My head shot to the man standing in the room and I cocked an eyebrow, luckily he seemed to catch on to my silent question.

"Your friend called you looking for you and well you were passed out so I answered it for you and said you could crash here and I could bring you home or his place once you were up." He stated simply. What? No. That couldn't be right. I didn't trust it. Shawn knew, why would he just let me stay here with a stranger? What did this guy say to Shawn? Did he threaten me? Shawn? I narrowed my eyes at him. This wasn't right, I knew it.

"He wouldn't do that. He wouldn't leave me alone with a stranger, so what's the truth?" I hissed. My voice cold. He just rolled his eyes like I was the one acting ridiculous and he walked towards me. No! I could hear alarm bells in my head, I jumped shuffling to back away from him the best that I could. When I started to put a distance between us he stopped in his tracks and raised his arms defensively, but no.

"Look, your other friend; Kim, I think; stayed with my sister Jess so he said he'd trust me to look after you and that he'd come back in the morning for you. That's when I offered to drive you over along with the other chick." He explained, but even if it made sense I still wasn't completely sure. I stared at him, I had to take a breath and reason this out with myself. It did make sense. I had already passed out and it would have definitely been harder for him to get me with all of those people. Plus he had to help take Jackson too. I gave it a shot and trusted that Jessica girl that Kim had started talking to, so I could try and trust him too if he was really her brother; and Shawn had given him his address, so it couldn't have been that sketchy... Wait. Did Kim ever mention...

"So you're Jessica's sister?" I asked, he watched me and nodded simply to the question. There wasn't much I could do to try and prove or disprove that, not right now at least.

"Yeah, I told you last night but it seems you don't remember. What do you remember?" He asked me. He told me last night? I didn't remember any real conversations with him. Did I really drink enough to pass out? I can't believe I let myself black out like that, but the pounding headache was proof of that much. I ruffled up my hair trying my best to recall more from the night before to every last detail.

"Umm... I remember following you and then... umm I think we were in a bathroom.... and then.." I spoke aloud walking through the events of the night that I did remember, but was forced to stop as I remembered the whole 'make it rain' incident. Oh god did I really? I wish I could say that no I couldn't have done that, but... I groaned covering my face.

"And making it rain..." I mumbled out. A deep laugh followed my despair, I peeked through my fingers and looked over at the still slight suspicious man before me. Even if I didn't trust him that much I had to admit, he had a beautiful smile, but I just... The feeling that something wasn't right with him was overwhelming and I couldn't help but want to keep my distance from his as much as possible.

"Wow, you blacked out pretty early. Yeah you 'made it rain' but then you started crying out of nowhere but then you were on a mission to... steal keys, I think you said. I wasn't sure what you were talking about but you were drenched in water so I brought you to my room to let you borrow some dry clothes. Once I got you here after some convincing you had completely forgotten your original plan and went on about not missing your plans and then took out your contacts and-"

"MY CONTACTS!" I yelled out while covering my right eye. Shit shit shit. How could I be so stupid?! I looked back up to ask him where they were only to freeze. Green was all I could see. His emerald green eyes staring back at me, when did he even get this close to me? I was in such a state of shock I couldn't speak, so I only stared at him. Until I saw him starting to move, his hand reached up and I watched carefully with one eye as he grabbed my wrist and pulled my hand away. No! I squeezed my eyes shut.

"Why do you hide your eyes? They are beautiful. Something so beautiful should be treasured, not hidden." He breathed out so earnestly, I opened my eyes just out of surprise; no one had ever really said that about my eyes before. To be fair I did hide them, but still it was strange to hear even if it wasn't necessarily in a bad way. I couldn't help myself but to frown and pull my head away looking down. It wasn't the heterochromia itself that I hated, it was the consequences that had come with it.

"Because they are a curse that have only brought me bad luck." I whispered out without thinking. Why am I telling him this? This wasn't any of his business. I was so on guard just moments ago and yet now... It just felt as if the barrier to keep him away were starting to tear away. This wasn't good. I didn't know why he was having this kind of effect now after putting me on guard so much before. I needed to leave. To go to Shawn's. To go home. To go anywhere that wasn't near this man. But before I could do that,

"Where are my contacts?" I asked, turning my head back towards him. It wasn't any use with him, he had already seen my eyes, but I was confused as he started to snicker to himself. He held up his hand to his mouth like he was trying to keep from laughing, but the glint in his eyes gave away his amusement. Just what the hell was so funny? Was contacts some weird innuendo that I didn't know about yet? It was just contacts.

"Well, umm... you kinda flushed them down the toilet." He managed to explain after taking a breath to calm himself from laughing. Hearing that my eyes widened, no I couldn't have... Why would I do that? I held my forehead in my hand, fuck, "Yeah, I tried to offer to find something for you to put them in and you refused to listen to me and declared that you were going to be 'free' while throwing them in the toilet. I tried to stop you from flushing them but you jabbed me in the side and was able to get back to the toilet and flush it." As he finished explaining and my face just gradually heated up until it felt like it was on fire. I can't believe I did that and yet I had to believe it. Alcohol was officially my worst enemy, never again, it was evil and against me. I tried to turn away just to hide my embarrassment and try to force snap myself out of existence, where was Thanos when ya needed him? However he grabbed my face and I found myself looking at him again. Why was he all touchy with me all of a sudden? I didn't appreciate it and I could feel myself about to snap at him to keep his hands to himself, but he continued speaking, "You had such a strong and proud smile on your face. Like you had just finished taking over the world." He leaned in closer to me until I could feel his breath on my face, it was warm and it smelled like fresh mint, "It was a sight to see, I'm honored to have been able to witness such a smile." Oh shit, as if my face wasn't red from before hearing about how I acted like a complete moron. I just knew I probably looked more like a tomato that had just been plopped onto a human neck and body now; it was not helping that he was just smirking at me. Fucking hell. I just wanted to melt back into the sheets but here I was instead trapped looking into his eyes. What the hell was wrong with me?

Thankfully after a few seconds I was able to snap myself out of that mental haze I was in. Enemy number one alcohol. Enemy number two definitely had to be this guy. Though I just wish it had been entirely my own will power that had gotten me out of it; but instead it was namely my phone having rung. I jumped at the opportunity to try and get my senses back by talking to anyone else, even if it was just Kim ranting about some anime she binged with Jessica or whatever. However after a brief glance I saw it was Shawn. Good.

"Hey." I answered quickly not daring to glance towards the stranger beside me; right now I needed to get my mind together and talking to Shawn could help.

"Hey! How are ya feeling? Sorry for not driving you home but I already had to deal with Jackson and him trying to run away from me. He was gone and well apparently you were passed out." Shawn explained himself and I snickered at the thought of Shawn struggling to catch Jackson. Something about the image of Jackson playing keep away with Shawn was hilarious, especially with how gone Jackson had been when I last saw him, not that I was one to talk now. Never again. I felt more like myself listening to Shawn and dared to glance towards Mr. Mystery, he had started walking away. I was embarrassed that I didn't even know this guy's name. He had apparently told me that Jessica was his sister, so he probably told me his name, but that must be another detail that was lost to the alcohol.

"I'm fine. Apparently I flushed my contacts so could you come get me, I know this guy said he could drive Kim and I but... I don't want her to see..." I pleaded with Shawn; feeling a sense of shame settle in my gut from not telling her. She was my friend and she trusted me, but I couldn't trust her with this; but technically no one was supposed to know. So it wasn't like it was something I wanted to have to keep a secret. Plus it wasn't like I just trusted Shawn so much more than her- even if I did trust him a bit more due to the situation- but the only reason he had found out was because of a breakdown that I had. I had been so stressed and on edge before I could stop myself I had spilled everything. I hated that I had to keep so many secrets, but it was safer for everyone around me if I did. If I loved them... I could keep it to myself, I could handle it all by myself if that meant they were safe.

"Yeah I understand. Plus Kim texted me saying she was going to spend the day with Jessica and she could drive her home. Jackson is still passed out so I'll just come get you, we can stop by your house on the way to get some breakfast if you'd like?" Shawn offered; I instinctively nodded making my head pound, before remembering that's not how phone calls work and I'd have to vocally answer him.

"Yeah, that sounds good. We could go to that one diner off 71 since it's on the way to your house." I answered. Once he assured me that he was heading over the call ended and I was alone with the stranger again. With nothing to distract my attention anymore I looked back to see that he was sitting in a chair in a corner of his room reading a book. Out of curiosity I turned my head just enough to see what it was. Edgar Allen Poe; well weren't you just special. Edgy asshole.

"Hey," I called out to catch his attention. Mission success judging by how he looked up and locked eyes with me. "Um so Shawn is coming to get me. I just... well..." I was a stuttering mess while I rubbed the back of my neck, "Could you not tell anyone about my eyes. It's kinda something I don't usually let people know about." At my request he frowned, but he nodded, that was good I didn't need some weird asshole going around telling people about my eyes. I was grateful even if I still didn't like that he knew and the relief from his agreement to keep it hushed made me smile, "Thank you."

Now that all that was settled I went to get up so I could get ready for Shawn only... problem. These were not my clothes. A band tee. It was the same band I had approved of last night, but a different shirt. I went to panic for a millisecond before remembering that he had mentioned getting me into dry clothes. I let myself relax, that had been my own fault getting that drunk and... ugh, making it rain. Standing up showed just how much bigger these clothes were, but aside from the shirt I was just in my boxers. Pants were pretty important, so I started looking around the room for them. I was going to need those.

"Your clothes are in the dryer. They should be ready in the next few minutes." He answered before I could even ask. Guess I was making it pretty obvious just what I was looking for; with a nod I just went to the open door that led into the bathroom, feeling his eyes on me the entire time. Creepy. Going to the sink I splashed my face with cold water, hopefully this could help me get out of the funk the hangover and this situation had me in. I took a deep breath before looking up to the mirror and almost screamed when I saw that he was behind me. What the hell was he a horror movie killer?! Who just follows people into bathrooms and stands behind them?! No one with good intentions that's who! I whipped around to glare at him, but he held a towel out to me as if nothing was wrong, along with a new toothbrush. This was nice and all, but he could have said something like a normal fucking person.

"Here feel free to shower and brush your teeth and I'll get your clothes." He spoke softly as if he wasn't acting like a weirdo. I didn't have many words for him other than the obvious 'stop being weird' but I held those back for a simple 'thanks' since I was still currently trapped in this man's house. Taking the towel and toothbrush I kept my eyes on him as he left. So far he hadn't done anything to really hurt me, he was gentle, but he was so off putting that I just couldn't bring myself to let my guard down. Not more than I already had, if anything I needed to be more cautious of him. I locked the door to the bathroom after he left and sighed glancing back at the mirror and my own reflection. Something so beautiful shouldn't be hidden. I frowned, staring at my eyes. My blue and brown eyes staring back at me.

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"You know flushing your contacts isn't recommended?" Shawn teased me barely holding back his laughter. I frowned in protest to his amusement, it wasn't that funny, I still couldn't believe I let myself get like that. There goes all my shading towards the regular drunks.

"Oh shut it. I already am embarrassed enough." I cursed at him through clenched teeth; ignoring my frustration with him he ruffled my hair making me roll my eyes and slump in defeat. Shawn turned to face the mystery man that was standing behind me and reached out his hand. What was he my dad?

"Thank you for taking care of Oliver. I appreciate it..." Shawn stopped starting to look a little embarrassed, what was this now? "I'm so sorry, I don't think I ever caught your name." He hadn't even known this guy's name?! Shawn where is your caution? Your loyalty? That's it I'm signing him up for stranger danger classes the moment I get back home. Though in all fairness, I didn't know this guy's name either and now was a good chance to learn it. However the guy went from looking at Shawn back to me, it was starting to get creepy... well creepier. Why did it seem like he was always staring at me?

"Elijah and it's no problem. The honor was mine." Elijah stated while reaching out to shake Shawn's hand but it wasn't long before he smiling back at me instead. I averted my gaze, did he have to be so weird about everything? Who even said things like that? It sounded like someone trying to impress the father of their girlfriend. Shawn's head was turning between the two of us and his face screamed that he was confuse; he eyed me for answers that I just didn't have. If I did this dude probably wouldn't give me chills, not the good kid either. The guy was just weird, that was my only answer for it so I shrugged before looking towards th- Elijah, even if he was a bit odd, he had helped me last night so I should thank him properly.

"Um... Thank you for..well...everything," I thanked him while moving my hands around in circle motion feeling uncomfortable, "You didn't have to but I appreciate it. Also thank you for keeping my secret." Elijah just shook his head.

"It would have been wrong for me not to take care of you, Oliver." Elijah spoke while locking his eyes with my own. That caged feeling came back. His eyes, words, everything about him... I couldn't help but to stare back but once more Shawn saved me from the trance this man seemed to put me under.

"Well we better be going. Thanks again my dude." Shawn waved while heading towards his car motioning for me to follow, not that I need the prompting, I was quick to follow behind and hop into the car. I dared to look back at the house before I got into Shawn's car and he was still watching me.

"Til we see each other Oliver." Elijah smirked and shivers overtook my spine. Just the way he said my name made my blood run cold; but I got my senses back quickly. I needed to go home; I looked away and gave a small nod.

"Til we see each other again, Elijah."